Untitled (large group of men eating and drinking at long banquet tables) 1954

Editor: This photograph, titled "Untitled (large group of men eating and drinking at long banquet tables)" by Jack Gould, really strikes me. The sheer scale of the gathering is compelling. What draws your eye in this piece? Curator: Well, the photo's inverted tonality emphasizes the material conditions of its production. The negative image highlights the chemical processes, reminding us of photography's roots in industrial labor. The photograph immortalizes a specific type of consumption within a tightly structured social context. How does that labor impact the men? Editor: That’s an interesting point. It makes me consider the labor that went into preparing this meal, and who is missing from this image. Thanks for sharing your perspective. Curator: Likewise; thinking about the social dynamics in relation to labor and its absence has broadened my view.